Compact construction



Jan. 29, 195'] E. A. HEMMINGS ET AL 2,779,344

COMPACT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 6, 1953 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 10g JNVENTORJ 103 157(76/5 A HEM/WINGS 195 7 E. A. HEMMINGS ETAL 2,779,344

COMPACT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1953 JNVENTORJ ZZZ/LIE 44. HEMMl/VGS BY & GILBERT ADAMEC United tates COMPACT CGNSTRUCTION Emilie A. Hemmings, New York, and Gilbert Adamec, Bronx, N. if; said Adamec assignor to said Hemmings This invention relates to a compact construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in a compact construction flashlight means for directing rays of light over the compact mirror and such flashlight means being disposed at the opposite sides of the mirror and made a part of the cover of the compact.

It is another object of the invention to provide a compact construction having flashlight means associated with the cover thereof wherein such flashlight means is in the form of units removably mounted in the sides of the cover for use independently of the compact, as for searching in a purse or in locating a key opening in a door, and wherein such flashlight units may be replaced within the cover openings by a lipstick that may also be separated from the cover and used independently as a lipstick item.

t is another object of the invention to provide in a compact construction a device for maintaining control of the powder therewithin and wherein only small quantities of powder are advanced from a storage compartment simultaneously with the elevating of the lid for the front compartment in which the powder puff is stored when not in use.

his another object of the invention to provide a miniature flashlight construction that is compact and adapted for use in compacts and which is self-contained and consumes little space.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a flashlight compact having the above objects in mind, which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a minimum number of parts, of pleasing appearance, easy to operate, readily adapted for night or evening use where other light is not available, or in the theater, durable and has long life, of minimum size and efficient in use.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed construction taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

atent Figure 1 is a perspective view of the compact embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the compact with the cover lifted to provide access to the compact material, and with the flashlight openings being shown at the opposits sides of the mirror to direct rays of light thereover;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and through the hinge connection of the cover with the tray bottom of the compact;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the cover and through the portion thereof con taining one form of flashlight construction, the view being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the flashlight removed from the cover and adapted to be used as an independent item;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bulb retaining strip and bottom contact used in the flashlight unit shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lipstick device 2,779,344 Patented Jan. 29, 1957 "ice adapted to be inserted in one of the flashlight openings and to replace one of the flashlights; I

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken throughthe cover at the .side thereof with the lipstick of Fig. 7 mounted therein, the view being taken generally on line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the compact cover with a flashlight device therein of a different construction than that shown in Fig. 4 and wherein the flashlight is turned on by movement of the device in the cover opening and upon the reflector being aligned with the light opening in the side of the cover;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a still further form of a flashlight unit;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the contact strip and reflector holder used with the flashlight unit shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10 and illustrating the manner in which the contact is made with the battery terminal;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tray bottom with the front lid in the open position;

Fig. 14 is a similar fragmentary perspective view of the tray bottom with the front lid in the lowered position;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary and sectional view of the tray bottom taken generally on line 1515 of Fig. 14 with both lids in their closed positions;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally on line 16-ld of Fig. 13 and illustrating the manner in which the powder is advanced to the powder pull compact compartment, the view being taken generally on line ltd-16 of Fig. 13.

Referring now to the figures, 21 represents generally the tray bottom to which a cover 22 is hinged by means of a hinge connection 23 on the rear edge of the tray andintermediate the height thereof. The upper part or the rear edge of the tray bottom 21 is forwardly off set as indicated at 24 so that upper portion 25 of the rear edge of the cover 22 will when the cover is closed upon the tray bottom 21 set inwardly of the bottom portion of the rear edge of the tray bottom 21 thereby to provide a flush engagement of the rear edges of the tray bottom and cover, Fig. 3.

The tray bottom 21 is similarly recessed on its forward edge as indicated at 26 so that an intermediate part 27 of the cover 22 will, when the cover is in the closed position, lie flush with a bottom portion 28 of the forward edge of the tray bottom 21.

The tray bottom 21 has a top portion 29 which is depressed as indicated at 30 to provide compartments 31 and 31' for the powder material indicated at 32. The depressed portion 30 includes a shallow peripheral depression 33 surrounding the same and on which is fitted and secured a double cover structure indicated generally at 34. This cover structure 34 includes a narrow top portion 35 which extends across the compartments and is connected to the opposite edges of the peripheral depression 33.

A rear lid as is hinged at 37' to the rear of the depressed portion 30 and when lifted by its handle 38 provides access to the compartment 31 where the bulk of the powder is stored. The forward edge of the lid 36 will engage with a depressed portion 39 of the partition 34.

A front lid td is hinged to the partition 34 as indicated at 41 and can be lifted by its handle 41 to provide access to the compartment 32 in which is stored powder puff 43.

The lid 40 has a depending flange 44 adapted to separate the compartments 31 and 32 from each other when the lid is in the down position. Extending rearwardly and at right angles from the flange 44 is a kicker flange 45 adapted when the lid is lifted to push forwardly small quantities of the powder material 31" in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 16. A small quantity of this material is indicated at 46 and is made readily available to the powder puff 4Y3 as shown, in Fig. 16.

The cover 21; has on its inner face a mirror This mirror is equal in width to the tray bottom 21 and will overlie the same when the cover is in the closed position thereover.

At each end of the cover 22 and adapted to extend over the sides of the tray bottom, is an enlargement or adapted to receive either a battery unit or flashlight 54 or a lipstick assembly 55, Fig. 7.

The enlargement 52 is' hollow to receive the flashlight 54 and has an inner wall 56 with an opening 57 through which the light rays can be projected over the mirror i. The enlargement :73 has a similar opening 5'8 by which light rays can be projected over the mirror from the opposite direction. A small detent 5& will engage the intermediate edge portion 27 of the cover when the cover is in the closed position over the tray bottom and the edge portion 27 thereof lying in the recessed portion 26 of the tray bottom. A button 69 is provided on the edge portion 28 of the tray bottom to operate the detent 59. This detent will hold the cover 22 in its closed position and upon being released the cover can be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 2. The enlargements 52 and 53 are open at their rear ends to slidably receive the flashlight or lipstick assembly 55.

The flashlight 54 comprises separable shells 61 and 62 threadedly connected to each other as indicated at 63 and separable to permit the removal and replacement of a small battery 64. This battery 64 is supported in an elevated position on a shoulder 65 extending radially inwardly from the wall of shell 61 so that terminal 66 on the upper end of the. battery 64 is held in engagement with contact 67 of a lamp bulb '68 carried in a threaded holder portion 69 of a contact and holder strip 70 that extends along the side of the battery and within the shells 61 and 62. The lower end of the strip it: is bent inwardly at its lower end. to provide a contact portion 71 adapted to engage the lower end of battery 64. This contact strip 70 is of spring; material and the contact portion ll can be forced into engagement with the lower end of the battery 64 by a wedge 73 slidable on the lower end of the shell 61 and having an operating button 74 protruding through a slot 75. As the wedge is slid to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, the contact portion 71 will be forced against the bottom of the battery 64.

The upper end of shell 62 has a reflecting portion 76 into which lamp bulb 60 extends. The reflector faces the opening 57 and a glass '77 over the opening 57. The lower end of the shell 61 has a lip '78 which can be engaged through a notch 79 in the enlargement 52 whereby to permit the flashlight 54- to be easily released from the enlargement 52. The flashlight 54 can thereafter be used to locate articles in a purse or a key opening in a door.

The reflector 76 can swivel on the top of the shell 62 so that the same flashlight 5 5 can be adapted to be placed in the enlargement 53. The reflector will thus be turned 180 degrees to direct rays of light through the opening 58 of the enlargement 53. The enlargement 53 has a fingernail recess 80 to provide access to the lip 78 on the bottom of shell 61.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a modified form of a flashlight adapted to fit the enlargements 52 and This flashligh-t unit is indicated generally at 32. The flashlight 82 has a long shell 83 with a bottom 84 thereon and from which extends a lip 35. Within the shell 83 is a shell of insulating material as indicated at 86 for containing a battery 87.

I A cap 83 is fitted on to the open end of the shell 83. Extending upwardly through this cap is a sleeve. holder 39 containing a lamp bulb 9%. This sleeve 8% has a contact strip 91 extending downwardly along the side of the battery and within the insulating material 86. The insulating shell 86 has a slot 92 aligned with a slot 93 in the metal shell 63. A contact strip 94 has a bent contact end 95 adapted to engage with the lower end of contact strip 91 upon the flashlight 82 being withdrawn to the dotted line position indicated generally at 96 and upon the bent portion 5 riding over the edge of slot 92 of the insulated shell 86. This contact strip 94 extends downwardly to the bottom of the battery 37 for contact therewith. The cap 88 has a reflector portion 97 by which the light rays are directed through a glass 98 and opening 99 in an enlargement 53.

The bent end 95 will ride upon a depression lltll to cause the same to engage contact strip 91. A depression 192 lying below the depression ltll is engageable with a depression 1- on shell 33 to hold the flashlight 82 against outward displacement. Thus, when the flashlight is to be turned on, it is simply withdrawn to the dot and dash line position 56. Thereafter, it is returned to its full in position with the reflector '7 brought close to the of the cover. Referring now particularly to Figs. 10, 11 and 32, there is shown a. still further form of a llashlight which may be used with this compact.

This flashlight is indicated. generally at 1% and has a main shell N6 of insulating material into which is fitted or dreaded cap 137. A contact strip res, Fig. 11, has e. contact projection 109 which is held in engagement with the bottom of a battery lltl by the gap m7. Opposing clip portions ill and 112 grip the battery lltl to hold the contact strip 3.08 thereupon. On the upper end of the Contact strip is a contact portion 113 that is adapted to engage a terminal lid of an electric lamp bulb 1155 threadedly connected to a reflector portion 116 carried upon the upper end of a projection 13.7 extending upwardly from strip portion ill.

In the upper end of the insulated shell 1W6 a press button 11521 which can be depressed in the manner as shown in Fig. 12 to force the reflector 116 against battery terminal H9 as shown in Fig. 12, as to establish a circuit through the battery and through the lamp bulb M5 to cause rays of light to be projected through opening 1% in the shell 1%. The upwardly extending portion 107 is insnlatedly connected to the clip portion 111 by insulation 121, Fig. 12. The portion H7 is of spring material and the reflector 117 will be returned to a position above the terminal 119 upon release of the button llltl.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, the lipstick assembly 55 is shown as comprising a bottom shell or cap having a base 126 with a lip 127 thereon which can he engaged by a fingernail in order to remove the lipstick assembly 55' from a compartment 52 or 53 in the cover 22. The cap 125 fits over the lower end of the outer shell 12-8 through which lipstick material 129 may be projected. The cap 125 has a depression 130 which is aligned with a depression 131 in the cover enlargement 53 so that the lipstick assembly will be retained within the compartment 52 or The lip 127 on the bottom plate can be reached through a recess 7? or tlil of the enlargement 52 or :53.

If it is desired to use the lipstick assembly 55 independently of the compact, cap 125' can be removed from shell 12% and the cap 25 placed over the lipstick end of the assembly for engagement with a circular rib surrounding the shell 128 as indicated at 132.

It will thus be seen that either a flashlight or a lipstick assembly can be placed in either of the enlargements 52 or 53 and that they can be readily removed and used as a separate unit or item. At least with one flashlight in an enlargement the mirror will be adequately covered with light rays so that the compact can be readily used in the dark. it will be seen that easy access is had to the compact powder and that there is little chance of losing any of the powder from the storage compact compartment 31. If the lid 40 is lifted, access can be readily had to the powder puff 43, all in the manner as shown in Fig. 16.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A compact construction comprising a tray bottom with a top opening therein to provide access to powder material, a cover being hinged to the rear edge of the tray bottom, a mirror on the inside of said cover, said cover having a side enlargement adapted to lie along side of the tray bottom upon the cover being closed thereupon, and a releasable flashlight unit extending into said enlargement, said enlargement having a wall facing in a direction parallel to said mirror with an opening therein through which light rays of the flashlight may be projected and directed toward the mirror.

2. A compact construction comprising a tray bottom having a top opening therein and adapted to receive and retain powder, a cover hingedly connected to the rear edge of said tray bottom, enlargements on said cover at the opposite ends thereof adapted to lie alongside the sides of the tray bottom upon the cover being closed thereon, said enlargements having walls facing in a direction parallel to said cover and provided with opposing openings, 21 mirror in said cover lying between the enlargements and adapted to receive rays of light from the opposing openings of the enlargements, flashlight units extending into said enlargements and having reflectors adapted to direct the lights toward the respective openings in the enlargements, means for releasably retaining said flashlights in the respective enlargement.

3. A compact construction comprising a tray bottom, said tray bottom having the upper parts of the front and rear edges recessed, a cover hinged to the rear edge and having an intermediate portion on the rear edge thereof adapted to lie in the recessed upper part of the rear edge of the tray bottom when the cover is in the closed position over the tray bottom, said cover having its front edge recessed and providing a portion adapted to lie within the recess of the front edge of the tray bottom, enlargements on the opposite ends of said cover adapted to extend along the sides of the tray bottom when the cover is in the closed position, said cover having a mirror disposed between the enlargements, and said enlargements with opposed openings, said enlargements having flashlights respectively disposed within said enlargements and releasably retained therein, said flashlights having refiectors adapted to project rays of light through the respective openings of the enlargements.

4. A compact construction comprising a tray bottom having a depressed top portion, a double lid structure overlying the depressed top portion and adapted to be lifted to provide access to the depressed portion, one of said lids having a depending flange adapted to provide a partition to divide the space within the depressed portion into two compartments, one compartment to contain powder material in bulk and the other compartment adapted to contain a powder puff, a flange connected to the depending flange and extending at an angle with respect thereto and adapted when the lid is lifted to impel powder material forwardly toward the powder puff cornpartment as the lid is Lifted and a cover having a mirror therein hingedly connected to the tray bottom and adapted to be extended over the top of the tray bottom and over the double lid structure thereof.

5. A compact structure comprising a tray bottom having an opening therein for containing compact powder, a cover hingedly connected to the tray bottom and having a mirror therein, said cover having enlargements at the opposite ends thereof, said enlargements having opposing openings through which light rays may be directed over the mirror, said enlargements being adapted to lie alongside the sides of the tray bottom when the cover is in the closed position, flashlight devices releasably retained in said enlargements, each of said flashlight devices having a switch button on one end and a reflector rotatably connected to the opposite end with a lamp bulb therein, each of said flashlight devices being adapted to be fitted into either one of the enlargements and the reflector swiveled for alignment with the openings in the enlargements to direct light rays to the mirror.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 738,626 Newell Sept. 8, 1903 1,408,527 Lyhne Mar. 7, 1922 1,484,161 Van Der Voort Feb. 19, 1924 1,598,821 Holland Sept. 7, 1926 2,145,462 Speck Jan. 31, 1939 2,629,045 Frohlich Feb. 17, 1953 

